Footage published online, which appeared to have been filmed by Louis Tomlinson during their tour in Peru, seemed to show him smoking cannabis with bandmate Zayn Malik.

Some fans of the boyband, who were discovered on Simon's hit singing show The X Factor, have criticised them but he spoke in their favour during a fundraising event for the Health Lottery in London.

He said: " What I can say is, I've worked with the boys for a long time. They are the hardest working boys I've ever worked with, they still haven't changed, they're really respectful to their fans, they're hard working, they're a great British export, but that's all I can really say."

Asked if their fans would support them, he said: " I hope the fans stay loyal but that's all I can really say.

"I've worked with a lot of artists in the past who do lose the plot and do lose respect for their fans and forget who put them there - they've never done that. They really do love their fans so I can only talk about my own personal relationship with them and they've been a joy to work with."